How to Check the Value of Football Cards
Working out the value of a football card is not always as simple as looking at the price of one listing. The same player can have cards from different years, brands, sets, parallels and conditions, and those differences can change the value significantly.
The best way to check the value of a football card is to first identify the card accurately, then compare it with recent sales of the same or very similar cards.
1. Identify the Football Card Correctly
Before checking value, make sure you know exactly which card you have.
Look for:
- Player name
- Year
- Brand
- Set
- Card number
- Parallel or variation
- Special insert
- Autograph or memorabilia
- Team
Two cards that look almost identical can have very different values if one is a limited parallel, numbered card or special insert.
2. Check Recent Sold Listings
Recent sold listings are usually more useful than current asking prices because they show what buyers have actually been willing to pay.
Search for the exact card using the player name, year, brand, set and card number where possible.
If there are several recent sales, compare them rather than relying on one result. A group of similar sales gives a better idea of the current market value.
3. Compare the Condition
Condition can have a major effect on football card value.
Check the card for:
- Corner wear
- Edge damage
- Surface scratches
- Creases
- Print defects
- Centres that are noticeably off-centre
A card in excellent condition may sell for considerably more than the same card with visible wear or damage.
4. Check Whether the Card Is Graded
Professionally graded cards can sell for different prices from raw, ungraded cards.
If your card is graded, compare it with sales of the same card at the same grade where possible. A high grade can increase value, while lower grades may sell closer to raw-card prices.
5. Look for Variations and Parallels
Modern football card sets often include multiple versions of the same card.
These can include:
- Colour parallels
- Numbered cards
- Refractors or similar finishes
- Short prints
- Autographs
- Patch or memorabilia cards
- Special inserts
Check the front and back carefully for numbering, logos, set information and other markings that may identify a rarer version.
6. Compare Similar Sales if There Are No Exact Matches
Sometimes there may be no recent sale for the exact football card you are researching.
In that case, compare similar cards from the same player, set, year and rarity level. This can give you a reasonable starting point, although the value should still be treated as an estimate.
7. Remember That Asking Price Is Not the Same as Value
A card listed for a high price does not necessarily mean it is worth that amount.
Some sellers list cards well above the price buyers are currently paying. Recent completed or sold listings are generally more useful when estimating value.
Use a Football Card Scanner App
If you have a card but are unsure of the player, year, set or variation, a scanner app can help speed up the process.
Football Cards Value Scanner lets you photograph a football card, identify its details and research relevant value information before saving it to your collection.
The app can be used for football cards from different codes, including NFL, soccer, AFL, NRL, rugby league and rugby union.
Once a card has been identified, you can use relevant listings and comparable sales to help estimate its value.
What Affects Football Card Value?
The value of a football card can be influenced by several factors at the same time:
- Player popularity
- Rarity
- Year
- Brand and set
- Condition
- Grading
- Parallel or variation
- Autographs or memorabilia
- Recent market demand
Because of this, there is rarely one fixed value that applies permanently to a card.
Check Football Card Values Regularly
Football card prices can change as players become more or less popular, new sets are released and collector demand changes.
If you are planning to buy, sell or trade a card, check recent comparable sales again rather than relying on an older value.
Scan, Identify and Check Your Football Cards
Use Football Cards Value Scanner to identify cards, research values and keep track of your collection on your phone.
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